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Analysis of Othello's psychological problems
Analysis of Othello's psychological problems
Revenge in world literature
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Jealousy: A Catalyst for Tragedy
The psychological feeling of jealousy is defined as “a complex emotion marked by insecurity and the fear of losing something important. It is highlighted by feelings of abandonment and anger” (Alleydog.com). In the play Othello by William Shakespeare, jealousy acts as a catalyst for the tragic events that take place. Iago’s plan for Othello’s demise is motivated by jealousy, as Iago is enraged by not being chosen as Othello’s lieutenant, and due to his suspicion that his wife was having an affair with Othello. Roderigo also displays jealousy and envy towards Othello, which results in him providing money and assistance to Iago in exchange for helping Roderigo win over Desdemona. However, the greatest display
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In Act 1 Iago states that he is angry Othello chose Michael Cassio as his lieutenant instead of him. Iago justifies his rage by claiming that Cassio is unqualified for the position: “[Cassio] never set a squadron in the field, / Nor the division of a battle knows / More than a spinster…But he, sir, had the election; / And I, of whom his eyes / had seen the proof at Rhodes, at Cyprus and / on other grounds…must be beleed and / calmed…He, in good time, must his lieutenant be” (1.1.21-24). Although Iago’s claims regarding Cassio’s competency as a lieutenant are reasonable, his statements are the product of his anger and jealousy that Cassio, a scholar and non-militant, was able to secure a lieutenant position rather easily; a position for which he (Iago) had been aspiring towards. Moreover, Iago explains resentfully that he did not get the promotion because Cassio was the recipient of favoritism “and not [chosen] by old gradation, where each second / Stood heir to the first” (1.1.37-38). Othello’s choice for Cassio over Iago as his lieutenant provokes Iago into action. However, Iago’s jealousy over Cassio is not the only inducement for his revenge against Othello. In Act 1, scene 3, Iago elaborates on his reasoning behind his revenge plot against Othello. He suspects that his wife has had an affair with Othello: “I hate the Moor, / And it is thought abroad, / that ‘twixt my sheets / ‘Has done …show more content…
Initially, Othello is seen as being calm and rational when dealing with tense situations such as Brabantio accusing him of charming his daughter, Desdemona. However, Iago’s manipulation of Othello allows the audience to perceive a different side of his character. Upon arriving in Cyprus, Iago sets his revenge plan into action by manipulating Othello into thinking his wife was having an affair with Michael Cassio. Iago successfully manipulates Othello by asking him, “Did Michael Cassio, when you wooed my lady, / Know of your love?” (3.3.94-95). This question leads to a discussion in which Iago does not answer Othello’s fervent questions, instead repeating them, resulting in Othello exclaiming, “By heaven, thou echoest me, / As if there were some monster in thy thought / Too hideous to be shown…I heard thee say even now, thou lik’st not that, / When Cassio left my wife” (3.3.106-110). Following this conversation, Iago has led Othello to suspect his wife’s intentions with Cassio by answering Othello’s questions vaguely. This makes Othello believe he is omitting something, and thus Iago tells him of his concern. By now, Iago has made Othello aware of his wife’s suspected infidelity, but he does not accept it right away. However, Othello later becomes obsessed with discovering whether or not Iago’s accusations
Iago elaborates a master plan to get Cassio position as a lieutenant. Iago get Cassio drunk so he could fight Roderigo. Othello then discharge Cassio from the lieutenant position when he says, How must poor Cassio have felt? To lose all he had worked for, working up his reputation that any half-hearted human can tell he earned and deserved. Iago know that Othello who ask him about the deed because of he fame of being a honest man. Iago tell Othello about the deed winning his trust that is when Iago starts to crab Othello by his weak point his Love for Desdemona.
In the first scene, he expresses his anger toward Othello for not choosing him to the position of lieutenant and instead choosing the much younger and unexperienced Cassio. Jealous and resentful Iago wants everyone else to feel how he does so he plans to manipulate the other characters. He manipulates Othello by using his own fears against him and he also takes advantage of his insecurities. Iago makes groundless accusations toward Othello, for example by saying “It is thought abroad that ’twixt my sheets / He has done my office” (I.iii.369–370). Claiming that Othello slept with his wife, Emilia. Later on in the play Iago mentions that he wants to go after Desdemona because Othello went after his wife, he wants to get even he expresses this by saying “wife for wife”
Throughout Othello the Moor of Venice we experience a rather uplifting story that seems to somehow come crashing down on not only the characters in the story but the reader also. Author William Shakespeare does a tremendous job at connecting us with the characters in the play. Othello, the protagonist in the play, falls slowly into the pit of destruction where jealousy takes control. He along with many other characters in the play are manipulated by Iago and slowly taken down from a peaceful, love filled, and triumphant place in their lives to one that is dark and revengeful. Many are led to their deaths because of the terrible deeds done by Iago, some of which include Othello himself who commits suicide only after murdering his new wife over nothing but the mindset of jealousy and hate. Shakespeare explores a vast amount of literary content here some of which delve into Jealousy. Jealousy alongside intense deceitful manipulation can introduce a person to another sinister side of themselves they never knew to existed. Iago 's ultimate goal in the play is not yet clearly laid out; there is much to
It's not love that is blind, but jealousy. In this beautiful small town of Venice, there is moor and his beautiful wife Desdemona, and the evil Iago, Roderigo, and Cassio. Othello is married to the beautiful Desdemona. He is an honorable man he was loyal to Venice, he was the general of an army. All of a sudden he started to act different, he started to change because Iago had told him that his wife Desdemona was fooling around with Cassio. Othello believes Iago because he trusted Iago, the same way he trusted everyone. Rodrigo had found out about Iago's plan to try to ruin Othello's life, so the two started to work together because Rodrigo was jealous that Othello had Desdemona and he wants her, Iago was jealous of the fact that Othello was trusted too much with many things, he was jealous that everyone loved Othello. So Iago planned everything out He planted things and messed with people's minds to have everything go down. Jealous is everywhere because you might want something that someone else has, you might wanna be just like someone, you might just want something just for yourself that you believe anything
Implicitly targeting Othello’s doubts about marrying Desdemona and insecurities about her actions with infidelity, Iago eventually impacts Othello enough that the General himself confides in Iago about his own wife. Earlier in the play, ‘honest Iago’ needs to first gain Othello’s confidence and he does so by expressing his loyalty to Cassio, “I had rather have this tongue cut from my mouth/ Than it should do offence to Michael Cassio”, while Othello is present in a conflict (2.3. 203-204). Then, later in the play Iago baits Othello by suggesting that Desdemona and Cassio are having an affair. Immediately, Othello wants more information; however, Iago nervously responds with, “…vicious in my guess-/ As I confess…” and tries to calm Othello by saying, “My noble lord-” (3.3 46-47, 93). When voicing his devotion to Cassio, Iago immediately begins to play on his false reputation as ‘honest Iago’. He enables Othello, and his fellow characters, to think highly of him and to respect that even when his partner, Cassio, has not been following orders, Iago would even endure physical pain and have his “tongue cut from [his] mouth” and proves his locality (2.3. 203). This leads to when Iago responds to Othello’s queries, about
William Shakespeare’s Othello is a tragedy about revenge through jealousy and deception. Throughout the play, Iago is constantly pitting characters against each other in order to satiate his anger from being denied the promotion to lieutenant that Cassio was granted. As a catalyst for all the conflicts that arise during the play, Iago merely uncovers the underlying insecurities characters such as Othello, a notable war general in Venice, are struggling with. Animal imagery as well as the use of light and dark to differentiate between race is very prominent and is used to drive a wedge between the newlyweds, Othello and Desdemona. Although Othello is a highly accomplished and well respected war hero, the notion that Venetians, including Desdemona, are a superior race, prevents him from ever feeling truly secure in his marriage, ultimately leading to the demise of several people close to him, and finally himself.
By first identifying a weakness in another character, Iago is able to then talk the other person into self doubt. After Cassio loses his position of lieutenant due to a drunken brawl, he seeks Desdemona’s help to get him back in good graces with her husband, Othello. As he is talking to Desdemona, Cassio sees Othello approaching and is too ashamed to even face him, so he quickly leaves. Othello sees Cassio flee as he and Iago enter, and Iago begins to play with Othello’s suspicious: “Ha! I like not that”. (3.3.33). Iago then denies that he had any suspicion of Cassio and gives false assurance to Othello, “Cassio, my lord? No, sure, I cannot think it, That he would steal away so guilty-like, seeing you coming”. (3.3.37-39). It was Iago who advised Cassio to go to Desdemona for assistance, and he knew that Cassio’s conversation with Desdemona was harmless, but Othello knew nothing. Iago was able to manipulate Othello’s curiosity and suspicion to plant a seed of doubt in his trust of Desdemona By manipulating all of those around him, Iago’s enemies grow closer to him and reject those who should be
Iago has a deep understanding of his victims, having a complete understanding of their behavior and beliefs. To begin with, Iago is jealous of the fact that Cassio is now second in command, as he believes that he is more fit for the job as he says: One Michael Cassio, a Florentine, A fellow almost damned in a fair wife, That never set a squadron in the field, Nor the division of a battle knows More than a spinster—unless the bookish theorist (Acts 21-31) Iago develops an instant hate for Cassio as he took the job that Iago believes he truly Iago also creates a new profound hate for Othello for not recognizing that he is more worthy and has more qualification for the job, resulting in the start of his plans to destroy Othello and Cassio. This was the start of the downfall of many characters.
Iago is outraged as he believes he is far more qualified and possesses more field experience than Cassio. His rage extends to Othello for making the appointment: “One Michael Cassio, a Florentine / A fellow almost damned in a fair wife / That never set a squadron in the field / Nor the division of a battle knows / More than a spinster – unless the bookish theoric / Wherein the toged consuls can propose / As masterly as he: mere prattle, without practice / Is all his soldiership” (1.1.123-127) Iago conceives of a plan to turn Othello against Cassio by fabricating an affair between Desdemona and Cassio. Yet Iago is oblivious to his own jealousy and demeans Othello for his: “O beware, my lord, of jealousy; it is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on.” (3.3.15) Iago’s embarassment and rejection when he failed to be named lieutenant turns to jealousy which gives birth to a plan to ruin both Othello and Cassio’s future. Another motivation for Iago’s plan to ruin Othello are the rumours that Othello and his wife Emilia are having an affair: “I hate the Moor / And it is thought abord, that ‘twixt my sheets / ‘Has done my office / I know not if’t be true / But I, for mere suspicion in that kind / Will do as it for surety.” (1.3.329-433) Iago’s excuse for ruining Othello’s life was always based on the fact that he appointed Cassio lieutenant instead of him. Here, however, Iago suggests he loathes Othello due to the ongoing rumours that Othello is having an affair with his wife Emilia. This demonstrates that Iago’s jealousy is rooted in more than one situation or event regarding Othello. As with Roderigo, Iago is ruled by his jealousy, even in the absence of real evidence. Although Othello possesses many admirable traits such as loyalty and determination, his tragic flaw is jealousy. Othello is another puppet of Iago, who is able to convince him that
In William Shakespeare’s The Tragedy of Othello, Iago demonstrates a mastery of manipulation over people who had previously trusted and confided in him. His sudden turn from Othello’s loyal ensign to rage-filled villain seems indicative of a man who can no longer accept his position in life. Iago’s plotting of Othello’s demise starts as idle talk of a disgruntled 28 year-old career military man passed over for promotion. Iago believes that such a promotion may never come after Othello rejects his candidacy and makes it clear that he did not believe him suitable. He sees Othello is only concerned with personal and political gain with his choice of Cassio as lieutenant. When Iago teams with love-scorned and desperate Roderigo, he begins to construct Othello’s downfall. Iago is declaring an all-out covert war on Othello, Cassio, and anyone else who gets in his way. In Iago’s first speech in Act I Scene II, he proclaims hatred for Othello and lays out his plan for seeking vengeance. “After some time, to abuse Othello’s ears that he is too familiar with his wife (Shakespeare 1473).”
The situation above leaves an opening for Iago to fulfill his vital plan to bring down Othello through Desdemona. Cassio was a mental wreck and told Iago that his reputation was ruined. Iago told him that he can get his rank back through Desdemona and get back on Othello's good side. "Confess yourself freely to her, importune her help to put you in your place again (p. 54)." Once Cassio talks to Desdemona, Iago will speak with Othello and get him to think of his wife's trust. In Act three Scene three Iago is speaking to Othello and warns him to look out for Cassio and Desdemona. Othello asks Iago if it was just Cassio that left from speaking with his wife.
Therefore, Iago ruins Cassio's reputation for his part in being chosen by Othello. Iago is also delusional believing that Othello has been unfaithful with Iago's wife and this is just another reason why Iago ensures everyone's downfall. He is determined to exact his revenge on anyone who has disappointed him or benefited when Iago feels he should have been the one to benefit. There is no foundation on which he bases his claim that Othello has been unfaithful with Iago's wife but this does not stop him making the
In Act II, Iago convinced Roderigo to fight with Cassio. This brutal fight that ruined Othello’s party, led Cassio to losing his position as lieutenant. The first person Cassio went to after being fired was Iago, who knew Cassio would come to him first, asking for advice. He was then able to convince Cassio to ask Desdemona to get Othello to give him back his position. Iago also knew that Desdemona would definitely try her hardest to help Cassio get his job back because it was in her nature to help out others. Iago would use this as part of his scheme to get revenge on Othello by making it seem like Desdemona was cheating on him with Cassio. According to this excerpt from the play, “…I’ll pour this pestilence into his ear, that she repels him for body’s lust; and by how much she strives to do him good, she shall undo hr credt with the Moor. So will I turn her virtue into pitch, and out of goodness make the net that shall enmesh them all,” Iago knew that he would easily convince Othello that Desdemona was being unfaithful by manipulating all three of them (II, iii, 347-353). He planned to get Cassio’s position taken away, and then told him to get Desdemona to get Othello to give him back his job. Right afterwards, Iago would tell Othello he believed Desdemona was cheating on him with Cassio. Othello would definitely believe him because he trusted Iago. In addition, Iago also knew that Desdemona would keep bugging Othello to give Cassio back his job, and this would further convince Othello of this treachery. Simply put, Iago easily took advantage of characters by pretending to be their friends, and suggesting advice they’d pay heed to that would lead to their
As an illustration, Cassio is tricked into believing that Iago will devise a plan into bringing back his position as lieutenant and humbly thanks Iago for it by saying that he never knew a Florentine more kind and honest (3.1.43-45). To elaborate, Cassio is unaware about Iago’s true colors and his felonious intentions that eventually led to the downfall to many characters in the play, proving that Iago is deceiving. Not only that, but Iago was deeply honored by Othello himself when Iago claimed that he would try to end the alleged relationship between Desdemona and Cassio by making sure that Cassio gets murdered, stating “I greet thy love not with vain thanks, but with acceptance bounteous…” (3.4.534-535). No doubt, Othello has fallen into Iago’s trap and doesn’t have the slightest clue that Iago didn’t actually care about helping out Othello, merely to just earn his trust, which ended up with Othello giving Iago the position as
From that momement on, Iago began to plot his revenge against Othello, which included convincing Othello that his wife was unfaithful with non other than Cassio. From this point on in the story Iago goes through great lengths to ensure his plan will come to fruition. Iago works his plan so that all of those around him will in the end bring each other down, he is only planting the seed in each of their ears. When Cassio is demoted, Iago convinces him to go and speak to Desdemonda, Othello’s wife, to help convince Othello of giving him his position back. Iago has already planted the seed in Othello’s ear that it is Cassio who his beloved wife is being unfaithful with.